Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A mounted group of eight miniature dress medals attributed to Colonel W. I. Leetham, 11th Hussars

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., gilt and enamel, with top bar; British War and Victory Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court style for display, nearly extremely fine (8) £80-100

William Ian ‘Jack’ Leetham was commissioned into the 11th Hussars in 1916 and as a Lieutenant he entered France on 21 October 1917. In 1919 he and the regiment were sent to Egypt and then to India in 1921. When the regiment returned to England in 1926, he remained in India and served as Adjutant of the Calcutta Light Horse, 1925-29 and was then on the Staff in India, 1929-32. He returned to England and rejoined the regiment in 1932. The unit was then posted to Egypt where he commanded the Bahariya Expedition. During 1936-39 he served in Palestine. With the onset of the Second World War, Leetham was 2i/c of the 11th Hussars and during April 1941-August 1942 he was in command. For his services in the Western Desert he was awarded the D.S.O. Returning home, he commanded the 59th Training Regiment at Barnard Castle and finally the R.A.C. Depot at Catterick as a full colonel. With copied m.i.c., obituary and other research.